Kansas City, Missouri, January 6, 2026
A police chase initiated by Independence officers on New Year’s Eve resulted in a fatal multi-vehicle collision in Kansas City. The driver fleeing police abandoned the scene, leaving one dead and two critically injured. This incident has sparked renewed scrutiny of the Independence Police Department’s pursuit policies, which permit high-speed chases for various offenses. Community members are raising concerns about the risks posed to innocent bystanders in such pursuits, highlighting a pattern of past incidents with devastating consequences.
Kansas City, Missouri
A police pursuit initiated by Independence officers on New Year’s Eve culminated in a fatal multi-vehicle collision in Kansas City, leaving one person dead and two others critically injured. The individual responsible for fleeing police and causing the deadly crash abandoned the scene and has yet to be apprehended.
Fatal Crash and Ongoing Search
The tragic incident unfolded on Wednesday evening, December 31, 2025, when Independence Police Department officers attempted to stop a driver for “traffic charges.” The suspect, operating a Ford F-250 pickup truck, then fled, leading officers on approximately a two-mile chase that began near Blue Ridge Boulevard and Wilson Road in Independence and extended into Kansas City.
The pursuit ended violently at the intersection of 9th Street and Benton Boulevard in Kansas City, where the fleeing truck reportedly ran a red light. It collided with another pickup truck and a Nissan Cube, which was stopped at the light, before also clipping an RV and becoming immobilized against a trailer. The force of the impact left vehicle debris scattered across the yard adjacent to a nearby home.
Daniel Perez Sanchez, a 47-year-old man who was driving the Nissan Cube, tragically died as a result of the crash. Two passengers in the Cube also sustained critical injuries, requiring hospitalization. The driver of the second pickup truck involved suffered minor injuries. Following the collision, the suspect fled the scene on foot and remains at large, prompting an ongoing investigation by both the Independence Police Department and the Kansas City Police Department. Authorities have stated they are not currently requesting public assistance in locating the suspect.
Community Concerns and Pursuit Policy Review
The deadly New Year’s Eve crash has reignited public scrutiny and concerns regarding the pursuit policies of the Independence Police Department. Residents living near the crash site and community members have voiced questions about the appropriateness of such chases, particularly when they lead to innocent bystander involvement and fatalities.
Independence police policy grants officers discretion on whether to initiate and continue a pursuit, allowing for chases involving both misdemeanors and felonies. The policy dictates that an officer must believe a suspect is attempting to evade arrest and should consider the safety of the public, officers, and the suspect. Furthermore, the policy states that a pursuit should be terminated if the risk to public safety outweighs the seriousness of the potential charges. Despite this, the department’s policies have previously been noted to permit high-speed chases for nearly any offense, a stance that has been described as going against best practices advocated by policing organizations and experts.
In 2024, Independence City Councilwoman Bridget McCandless requested a review of the department’s pursuit policy following a series of chases that resulted in injuries or deaths. Data released by the Independence Police Department in 2024, covering nine years, indicated that 28% of its pursuits culminated in felony charges. In 2023 alone, the department initiated 540 chases. Historical analysis shows that a significant portion of these pursuits, 72% in 2022, originated from traffic violations.
Previous Incidents Highlight Ongoing Risks
This New Year’s Eve tragedy is not an isolated incident involving Independence police pursuits resulting in severe consequences for innocent individuals. In June 2018, a police chase in suburban Kansas City led to the deaths of three bystanders in a vehicle that was struck by a stolen car fleeing Independence officers. The driver in that incident, Victoria Brown, later pleaded guilty to four counts of second-degree murder and received a 20-year prison sentence. Months later in 2024, another Independence Police chase resulted in a fatality in Kansas City. Additionally, in October 2024, an Independence police officer suffered serious injuries, and the driver being pursued was killed during a wrong-way crash.
Over the past six years, at least eight individuals have died in chases involving Independence officers, with six of those being innocent bystanders. These statistics and repeated incidents continue to fuel calls for reevaluation of pursuit strategies to better protect the public.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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What happened on New Year’s Eve in Kansas City?
A police pursuit initiated by Independence officers on New Year’s Eve culminated in a fatal multi-vehicle collision in Kansas City, leaving one person dead and two others critically injured.
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When did this deadly crash occur?
The crash occurred on Wednesday evening, December 31, 2025, following a police chase that started around 8:15 p.m.
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Who was the victim of the fatal crash?
The victim of the fatal crash was 47-year-old Daniel Perez Sanchez, who was driving a Nissan Cube.
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Has the suspect been caught?
No, the suspect, who fled the scene on foot, has not yet been apprehended.
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Where did the chase start and end?
The chase began near Blue Ridge Boulevard and Wilson Road in Independence and ended at the intersection of 9th Street and Benton Boulevard in Kansas City, Missouri.
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What was the reason for the police chase?
Police initiated the chase for “traffic charges” involving a Ford F-250 pickup truck.
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Are there concerns about the Independence Police Department’s pursuit policy?
Yes, the deadly crash has reignited public scrutiny and concerns regarding the Independence Police Department’s pursuit policies, which allow officer discretion for both misdemeanor and felony chases.
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Have there been similar incidents involving Independence police chases?
Yes, there have been several similar incidents, including a June 2018 crash that killed three bystanders, other fatalities in 2024, and serious injuries to officers and suspects in other chases.
Key Features of the New Year’s Eve Police Chase Incident
| Feature | Details | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Date of Incident | New Year’s Eve (Wednesday, December 31, 2025) | Local |
| Location of Chase Start | Near Blue Ridge Boulevard and Wilson Road, Independence | Local |
| Location of Crash | 9th Street and Benton Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri | Local |
| Fatalities | 1 (Daniel Perez Sanchez, 47) | Local |
| Injuries | 2 critically injured, 1 minor injury | Local |
| Suspect Status | At large, fled on foot | Local |
| Reason for Chase | “Traffic charges” | Local |
| Vehicles Involved | Fleeing Ford F-250 pickup, second pickup, Nissan Cube, RV | Local |
| Investigating Agencies | Independence Police Department, Kansas City Police Department | Local |
| Police Pursuit Policy Concern | Ongoing public scrutiny and review of Independence Police Department’s pursuit policy | Local |
| Past Incidents Involving Independence Police Pursuits (State-level relevance for policy discussion) | June 2018 crash (3 bystander deaths), other 2024 fatalities, numerous injuries. Over 6 years, at least 8 deaths, 6 innocent bystanders. 72% of 2022 pursuits for traffic violations. | State-level |
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Author: STAFF HERE KANSAS CITY WRITER
The KANSAS CITY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKansasCity.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Kansas City, Jackson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as American Royal World Series of Barbecue, Dia De Los Muertos, and Planet Anime Kansas City. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Kansas City, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Children's Mercy Hospital, Government Employees Health Association, and AMC Entertainment. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREStLouis.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Missouri's dynamic landscape.
